Woman who got rid of cash from Denton armed raid walks free

A woman who laundered thousands of stolen pound coins from an armed raid has escaped jail. Donna Lalley, 33, changed the money into notes after it was stolen in a raid on a supermarket in Denton, Tameside.

A woman who laundered thousands of stolen pound coins from an armed raid has escaped jail.

Donna Lalley, 33, changed the money into notes after it was stolen in a raid on a supermarket in Denton, Tameside.

After pleading guilty to money laundering at an earlier hearing, she was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years at Minshull Street Crown Court.

She was also ordered to do 60 hours’ unpaid work and was also made subject to a night time curfew for eight weeks.

Lalley, of Redbrook Avenue in Monsall, Salford, was linked to a raid on a Morrisons supermarket in Denton which took place in March.

Delivery staff from firm G4S were threatened by an armed gang as they delivered to the store with a large amount of cash, nearly all in pound coins.

Lalley was not believed to have taken part in the raid – but detectives traced phone calls from her to people involved in the robbery.

When police raided Lalley’s house they found over £300 in cash and £300 in £20 notes, plus empty coin bags.

A sat-nav with the address where the getaway car was bought from was also found at her home. Benefits claimant Lalley was also found to have paid off debts and bought electrical items and car parts beyond her financial means.

Det Con Sharon Hilton, of Tameside CID, said: "While Lalley was not involved in the robbery, she has laundered the stolen money; changing it for notes and using it to buy goods and pay debts.

"She benefited significantly from what was a very serious and terrifying crime and did so without a second thought for the victims.

"This case shows that we will investigate those on the periphery of crime, who think it is acceptable to aid and abet or benefit from criminality."

Supt Neil Evans, said: "I must praise the officers who investigated this robbery for their meticulous investigation.

"This is as good an example of detective work and policing as I have seen and I must praise the efforts of those involved for their work."

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